Chapter 5: Human city and another conflict?

I spend the rest of the day with Syl in my arms and running through the forest.

"Woow, you are so fast! With this speed we will make it to Bartheena even sooner then I thought!"

"Bartheena, what kind of city even is that?"

"Bartheena city belongs to Bartmaira kingdom it's the northernmost city between two forest type mazes, the Mayaleensian jungle and Forest of death."

"Forest of death, thats quite a name."

"It's widely belived that inside the Forest of death are dungeons filled with monsters. Only adventurers above Gold rank can enter the Forest of death."

"Ah, dungeons. Like those in which monsters lurk on anyone who crosses their path and infinite riches can be found?"

"Did you have dungeons in your world Tarumi?"

"No, but they are quite common in RPGs"

"Aar Pee Gee? What is that? It sounds nasty."

"Hahah! It certainly does, when said like that! It's just a kind of game where you play as a hero."

"A hero, eh?" Syl sounded disgusted.

"Would Main character be better term? Well, whatever. Do you have distaste for heroes?"

"Of course! In this world that word is reserved for humans with inhuman strenght. It was the Church of Origin that summons heroes from other world in Bartmaira capital city. Those jerks destroyed not just one demihuman country in past few hundread years."

"That bad?"

"Yeah, and it doesn't help that Bartmaira is human supremacist nation, even elves and dwarves are belived to be demons in their doctrine. Well, there is no need to be suprised that the Demon Empire to the north of the Forest of death was formed as opposition to the human supremacist Bartmaira and calls for uniting all races as equal."

"Heh, that would be hard nut to crack. You would need something so devastating that it could threaten both nations to make them work together."

"Have you seen that before?"

"Ah, more or less."

I can't tell her it was while playing a game…

"Anything else about Bartheena I should know about?"

"Yeah, once we enter the city you have to treat me like a slave."

"What?!"

"Wait, don't make that scary face! I told you they are human supremacist nation, if an elf like me enter's the city, I will be beaten to death and either enslaved or killed on spot. That's why I need you to act as my owner."

"Grrrr… I don't like that, I really, really hate that idea, but we need to get there so I guess we can't do anything other… aaaaarrrrgggghh…"

"Wow, you really hate that idea."

"Yeah, slavery was banned worldwide back where I came from."

"But what about the starving in the streets?"

"We have international organizations that fights with starvations, sicknesses and so on."

"That seems like a good world to live in."

For an outsider, yeah.

I continued running in the tree tops until the sun started to set.

"How far is it?"

"We are almost out of the forest, look! It's over there! The city at corner of two mazes Bartheena! Oh how long has it been!"

"Do you like this city?"

"Not at all, but they have good bread rolls."

"Food?"

"Yeah, they use localy produced wheat and the windmills on the other side of the city can produce six different quality levels of flour!"

"If you say it like that, then I guess I would love to try some."

"Yeah! Let's go, Tarumi!"

Syl cheered me on from safety of my hands. It's kinda weird I'm not getting tired at all, though.

"Alright, close the gates," I could hear words of a knight over at the gates of the city. We have safely landed around one kilometer away from the city and continued the rest of the way by foot. I also gave Syl the armor I picked up from the elf I beat in the forest and it was suprisingly a good fit for her.

"W-waaaaaiiit!!" I waved at the knight and sped up my steps with Syl right behind me.

"Eh? Who are you?" the knight looked at me dismissively, but that may be just due to his massive build. He must be at least two meters tall…

"My name is Tarumi Sojka. I was exploring the jungle, but I was attacked by some elves."

"Those maggots?" the guards face soften a little.

"Indeed. Luckily my slave over here made a quick work of them and we were able to get away."

"What a great stroke of luck indeed," the knight patted my shoulder, "You should get some rest kid. Come, and welcome to Bartheena city, the city between two mazes."

"Thank you kindly, sir…"

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Kenya Kork, the this city's knight briggade's captain. Though I'm a baron, I'm born commoner so you can speak freely to me."

"Thank you, sir Kork. We will be on our way," I bowed politely to the man and entered the city.

Once I walked through the gates, I noticed that most of the buildings here were build of wood. The streets were stright as far as the eye could see. Though, that didn't stopped them from being totally dirty with mud and in some places I could even see excrements of wild animals.

"This place is not one of the cleanest so I never stayed here for much longer then few days."

"I can clearly see why. Let's find inn somewhere here and make plans over there."

"Okay, there is inn three streets on the left that is really affordable."

"You stayed there before?"

"Yeah, it's the place with the breadsticks."

"Then let's go there right away."

"Yes! Please follow me!"

***

Meanwhile at the closed gate.

"Sir, are you sure that was a smart thing to do?"

"Maybe not, but I felt like I would die if I told him to hand over that slave as the kings order said," the knight captain scrached his head and finished writing his report with pencil that looked like a toothpick in his hands while being perfectly normal size.

"A-are you serious sir? But you are the strongest man of the north!"

"That may be so, but even I can't do anything against someone who can use magic. And if I attacked, that slave would be even more trouble."

"Wh-why do you think?"

"It was a female elf with black eyes, you know, like that from legends," the captain placed his legs on the table and folded his arms behind his head.

"You mean… she was simmilar to that accursed Platinum witch, the enemy of the church?!"

"The Platinum witch… it's said that she helps the weak, and never fails to protect children but at the same time she shows no mercy to church and humans in general. I didn't told you this probably, but I was once saved by her too."

"You, were captain?!"

"Yeah, I was a newbie adventurer back then. My entire party got wiped by undead I was one of only two remaining people in the party when she showed up, wiped all the monsters, gave us potions to heal our wounds and disappeared to the thin air… it was really mysterious ecounter. Alright, make sure the Aide will not find out about them."

"S-sir! Yessir!!" the vice-captain saluted and run out of the room.

"Sojka was his name right? …I can't shake of the feeling I've heard that name somewhere… well, whatever," the captain stood up and left the room as well, completly missing envelope with high grade wax seal on it, the seal of the Church of Origin.

***

"This is it. The Singing mistress. It looks little run down, but trust me, it's a good place. Oh, here take this, it's some money of this world," Syl showed me the the sign from across the street.

"I know, I know. Let's get inside, and thanks."

I smiled at her and walked to the doors.

"What did you say?! You don't have space?!! You realize you stand before his greatness Lord Azuth Andrazzi, correct?! The one and only Aide the royal capital decided to send here?! Know your place commoner!" an angry shout could be heard from inside the inn.

"Good sir, I've told you many times, after the closing of the gates we can onle serve those who are staying here as hosts, as his lordship instructed."

"Y-you insolent cur!!!"

As we walked in the inn we could see several drinking men sitting around tables, clearly the place was full of guests. Yet this little fatso was yelling at the sorry looking girl behind the counter. Behind the fatso was a slender looking man in what appeared to be high class clothes, which however were clearly behind the times.

"Excuse me young lady, could I ask you for a room?"

"Ah! Yes, what kind of room would you like?"

"Just one for me and this one behind me."

"A slave? But, wouldn't a stable do just fine for someone like that?" the girl tilted her head.

"I do have my reasons for keeping her close."

"You there commoner."

"What is it?" I asked tiredly the fatso without looking at him, instead I continued my conversation with the girl and got keys from her to our room.

"You are acting rudely towards his greatness the Aide!"

"And that suppose to be you or that scaredy cat behind you?" I asked calmly.

"Y-you cur! You will pay for that! Come to me, oh, flames—" The fatso started to chant a spell, but I ordered spirits to disperse the spell in secret at the same time.

"What?! My spell stopped?!"

"Did your parents didn't teach you to not play with fire indoors?!" I looked at him with anger surging from deep inside me.

"You've said too much, Tobias," the slender looking man patted his arrow shaped beard as his stern look fell on me, "However that said, you a commoner, have no right to question a nobles upbringing. Usually that would resulted in immediate beheading, however I will let it slide for today, if you hand over that slave. As you surely know, his majesty the king ordered all slaves within major cities to be confiscated due to war preparation."

"Oh, how magnanimous!" the fatso claped his hands, while shooting lustful eyes at Syl.

"I see, that certainly is news to me. So I refuse, there is nothing for me to gain in this."

"What did you say?! You dare to not listen to royal decree?!!!"

"I'm just a traveller. I'm not a citizen of this kingdom, henceforth, the royal decree means nothing to me."

"You insolent… Guards seize him this instant!" the fatso yelled.

"Spirits of the wind create barrier around me," I whispered in barely audible voice.

"Wha—?!" the guards let out a surprised yelp as a wall of wind suddenly pushed them away.

"What kind of sorcery is this?!" the fatso let out a surprised yelp, the Aide looked surprised as well, but did not speak up.

Good, they are scared. Now just one more push and we are done here.

"Oh, did I forgot to mention it? I'm a mage too. Do you want to see what I can do with other elements?" I smiled at them with ferocious grin.

"Um, mr. Tobias I think I'm no longer thirsty, let leave for today."

"But your grace!"

"I said I'm not thirsty today. Let us leave for today," the Aide showed us a face filled with hatred and animosity.

As the Aide left the room, the rest of the people surrounding him followed shortly.

"Woo-hooo!!! Man that was amazing!!!" the room broke into cheers.

"Heheh, I put an Impotence curse on them, heheheh, that will teach them to mess with us," Syl was laughing darkly and I had to promise myself that I will never make her angry.

"Let's go to our room already, I'm tired. Oh, young lady, could I request something light to eat to be brought to my room? For two please," I smiled at the girl and gave her the silver coin she requested.

"U-understood sir!"

"Everyone, I'm sorry about interrupting you, please return to your meals."

"You were awsome young man!!"

"Way to go young master!!!"

The drunkards were clearly on cloud nine after seeing the Aide getting send away.

Meanwhile we went up to the higher floor and entered the room. There, we found a giant bed, clearly meant for more then just one person.

"Aaaargh…" I fell to the bed and let out a deep growl.

"Good work out there," Syl smiled and sit next to me, taking off her armor.

"I'm so tired… I never knew acting was such a tough gig…"

"But you would get A+ for that," I felt her hand touching my leg.

"You know…" she started talking after a while, "I was really, really scared. When the elves found us… I wasn't worried about myself as much as I was worried about you. After all you are in this world for just a few days…"

"It's fine…" I raised my body from the bed and patted her head, "I know that I don't know a lot about this world, but I know that being here with you is much better then anything I've lived through for so long."

I mean my words. Ever since grandpa died, my life has been monotone and empty. But right here, right now, I'm having so much fun… I know I am constantly on the move, but that have it's own charm.

"Tarumi..."

As our faces got closer to each others, there was a knock on the doors.

"Excuse me! I brought you diner!"

"Uuuu..." Syl blushed as she moved from the bed on ground and I went to the doors. Once I opened them, I found the girl from counter with trolley with two plates.

"Here you go! Delivery right to your... room... wow, she's pretty," the girl murmured the last part while looking directly at Syl.

"Thank you very much. Oh, could I ask you one thing?"

"Yes?"

"I would like to buy some necesities for travelling, could you introduce me to some place?"

"Ah! Yes! We usually charge travelers for that, but as you've helped me a lot before, here! It's a map of the city my brother makes at the adventurers guild," the girl took out a folded paper from her chest area like it was normal, but it slightly ticked of Syl as I could feel her glare falling squarely on the girl.

"Um. Thanks."

"The red marked buildings are shops. The blue is adventurers guild and the one marked with X is Merchants guild."

"Thank you. I will make sure to remember that," I smiled at her and closed the doors after saying simple bye.

"Fuuu... that was... exhausting."

"That girl... she's dangerous. Be careful around her."

"It will be fine. Anyway. Let's get down to business. We need several things before we leave the city. Better equipment. Tools for maintainance. Supplies. Anything on your part?"

"If we plan to stay in forest again, we will need more magic items. I hate to admit it, but I'm running low on Magic stones."

"Magic stones? You haven't mention those before."

"They are not really needed for magic casting, but they are essential for enchanting. I would like to expand the space of your backpack before we leave so you would have easier movement, but for that we will need magic stones that are bigger then this," Syl took out several purplish black stones, each size of fingernail.

"How big do they need to be?"

"At least a size of your fist."

"That's really big... hmm... I guess our only chance will be to became adventurers. With how much money we have left, even if we sold the loot from the bandits we would still be in red. What do you say? Will you became an adventurer with me?"

"Yeah. It's probably the only way we can do it. Let's become adventurers!"